Top 20 free agents & where they’ll sign part 2

18. Anthony Rizzo, 1B

3 Years/$56 Million with the New York Yankees

Anthony Rizzo used to be a model of consistency for the Chicago Cubs between 2014 and 2019. just look at these numbers:

2014: 286/.386/.527 with 32 home runs and 78 RBI in 140 games and 524 AB.

2015: .278/.387/.512 with 31 home runs and 101 RBI in 160 games and 586 AB.

2016: .292/.385/.544 with 32 home runs and 109 RBI in 155 games and 583 AB.

2017: .273/.392/.507 with 32 home runs and 109 RBI in 157 games and 572 AB.

2018: .283/.376/.470 with 25 home runs and 101 RBI in 153 games and 566 AB.

2019: .293/.405/.520 with 27 home runs and 94 RBI in 146 games and 512 AB.

Things weren’t as good for Rizzo in 2020, when he batted .222/.342/.414 in the shortened season. In 2021, he hit .248/.344/.440 with 22 home runs and 61 RBI in 141 games and 496 AB. He did it with both Chicago and the New York Yankees, who he was traded to mid-season.

In 2022, Anthony Rizzo batted .224/.338/.480 with 32 home runs and 75 RBI in 130 games and 465 AB with New York. A qualifying offer recipient, it’s unlikely that he has a big market due to that and the fact that he’s a 33 year old first baseman. It’s nice to imagine him playing for the Miami Marlins, but I don’t really see that happening. Not because we can’t afford him, but because we won’t give up a draft pick to sign him.

So where will he end up? I expect him to re-sign with the New York Yankees. He’s needed there and he wouldn’t cost too much. A 3 year deal at $18 million a year seems pretty reasonable to me. The Bronx Bombers also don’t have to worry about giving up a draft pick for an extra advantage.